Bride of Re-Animator (1990)

Director: Brian Yuzna

Starring: Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Claude Earl Jones

Doctors Herbert West and Dan Cain discover the secret to creating human life and proceed to create a perfect woman from dead tissue.

Here we go again! The original cast and crew are back, I’m delighted to say. This time producer Brian Yuzna takes over as director. ‘Bride of Re-Animator’ follows on the events of ‘Re-Animator’. The awesome score – now so recognizable – is back, as well.

Herbert West and Dan now are partners; and both qualified doctors. Jeffrey Combs, again, is excellent. (This man deserves a star on the Hollywood walk of fame!). He ownsthe Herbert West character. Call West insane, demented, insensitive, or a genius. However you view West, he is a truly unique and compelling character, whom I find just as immortal as the likes of Freddy Krueger or Jason Vorhees.

‘Bride’ gives a ‘Re-Animator’ spin on a Frankenstein recipe, which felt almost original. Once again, the prosthetics and make-up effects are incredible. ‘Bride’ is not as bloody, graphic or gory as the original, with most of the horror elements portrayed in a humorist way. This certainly is more of a horror comedy than its predecessor, but still by no means a comedy.

Although the film is not as fast-paced as the original, it nevertheless remains interesting throughout. The film just works so well due to Combs’ brilliant performance. The film’s final moments does get a bit weird – well, that’s euphemistically speaking!  (In fact, the film falls to pieces during the final act, with the script becoming experimental and unbelievable. So, Dr Hill can now summon the undead, and then there’s the flying head…!) Unfortunately the supporting cast isn’t as good as the main cast.

Despite the weirdness, one has to admire the creators for their achievements. One can’t help but marvel at the make-up and creations. Ultimately, though, the film might not be as memorable as ‘Re-Animator’. Then again, ‘Re-Animator’ was just so darn good!

‘Bride of Re-Animator’ won Best Independent/Low-Budget Film, and received nominations for Best Horror Film, Best Supporting Actor, Best Makeup FX.

Would I watch it again? Not sure.